Automatic cut-out for electric generators



E. J. TOMLINSON.

AUTOMATIC CUT-OUT FOR EtEGTRlC GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1920.

1,41 5,497. Patented May 9; 1922.

A TTOR/VE Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J'. TOMLINSON, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, AS SIG-NOR T0 SPLITDORF ELECTRICAL COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC CUT-OUT FOR ELECTRIC GENERATORS.

Application filed June 22,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, EDWARD J. TOMLIN- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Cut- Outs for Electric Generators, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to a device for controlling an electric circuit and as illustrated is shown in use as a cut-out for an electric generator used in a system including a storage battery, from which it is desired to disconnect the generator when the speed of its armature, and consequently its voltage, falls below that of the battery, whereby the battery would discharge back into the generator.

My invention is particularly adapted for use. in connection with a lighting system used on automotive vehicles which are operated at variable speeds and which are fref uently stopped over intervals of different ne of the objects of my invention is to provide a cut-out for this class of work, which is very simple and inexpensive and one which is positive in its action.

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a view of the generator with the end cover broken away to show the cutout mounted on the end bearing support. v

Figure 2 is an end View of Figure 1 with the cover removed.

Figure3 is a side elevation of the main part of the cut-out.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the parts in a different position.

Figure 5 shows a slightly modified form carrying the cut-out contacts,

While Figure 6 is a diagrammatical view of the lighting system showing the appli'-' cation of the cut-out thereto.

Referring now to the details wherein line numbers refer to corresponding parts in the various views, 1 is a generator having an end bearing support 2 which carries the usual brush holder and brushes, which are partly shown with connections thereto in Figure 2. The drive end of the armature shaft is indicated at 3, while on the opposite end, the armature shaft carries the main Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 192-2.

1920. Serial No. 390,985.

portion of the cut-out. The cut-out consists of a central stud 4 which is adapted to be fastened to the end of the armature shaft in any suitable manner, such as by set screw 5. Attached to one end of the member 4 are two side bars 6 and 7. I prefer to make the side bars 6 and 7 all in one piece, bend- 1ng it around to the rectangular shape as indicated in Figure 2. Between the side bars 6 and 7 and adjacent the ends thereof, and pivoted by means of rivets 8, are weights 9. The weights 9 are specially constructed at one end in order that they may function in a certain manner. A lug 10 is formed on the upper part of the weights 9 in such a manner that it fits between the side bars 6 and 7, but does not come quite to the .top thereof, as indicated by dotted line in Figure 3 and the pivot pins 8 pass through the said side bars and lugs 10.

Preferably formed integral with the lug 10 are fingers 11 and a fiat spring 12 rests on the lugs 10 between the side bars 6 and 7 being held thereto by a notch of sufiicient width to receive the fingers 11. The spring 12 is so constructed in its fit with the fingers 11 that normally the weights 9 are held in the position indicated in Figure 3, whereby the surfaces of the weights 9 adjacent the lugs 10 rest against the bars 6 and 7 as indicated at 13, leaving a gap 14 at the outer extremity of the bars 6 and 7 as indicated in Figure 3, it being understood that the weights9 are shaped at the points 13 and 14 to produce the above condition. The spring 12 carries a contact 15 that is adapted to cooperate with a relatively fixed, but adjustable contact 16 carried on an arm 17 which in turn is fastened to the bearing support but insulated therefrom.

In the operation of my device as the armature shaft reaches a given predetermined speed, Weights 9 at once move to their fully operative position'as indicated in Figure 4. in which the gap 14 is closed by that part of the weight coming in contact with the side bars 6 and 7 The movement of the weights 9 to this position bows the spring 12 and carries the contact 15 outward to flexibly engage the contact 16 thereby closing the generator circuit as will be seen by referring to Figure 6 wherein-the generator field 18 is shown connected to a third brush and battery 19 is connected to the main brushes through the usual ammeter 20, lamps 21 and 22 being adapted to be connected to the generator and battery circuit through the medium of switches 23. Y

Instead of having the contact 15 carried by the spring 12 of the rotating part of the cut-out, I may arrange this Contact on a stationary spring 24, motion being transmitted from the spring 12 to the spring 24 through the medium of a friction wearing button 25.

One of the features of my cut-out which I desire to bring out, is that it has no inter.- mediate position by which the contacts 15 and 16 would just be barely touching or causing an arc between them, but on the contrary, as has been stated, the construction is such that the contacts are either fully closed or fully opened, since the weights 9 when they start to move, move at once totheir full extreme position as shown in Fig ures 3 and 4. 4

It is to be understood that my invention is susceptible of certain modifications-as to the details without departing from the spirit of the same and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: v r I 1. In an automatic cut-out for electrical generators, the combination of an operating shaft, a stud member fastened thereto, a cross member attached to said stud, weights pivoted to said cross member near its extremities, fingers on the ends of said weights, a pair of cooperating contacts and a flat spring having notches to receive said fingers operative upon movement thereof to close the contacts. I

2. In an automatic cut-out for electrical generators, the combination of an operating shaft, a stud member fastened thereto, a cross member attached to said stud, weights pivoted to said cross member near its extremities, fingers on the ends of said weights,

a flat sprlng carrying a contact and having notches to receive said fingers and a stationary contact to co-operate with the first contact.

3. In an automatic. cut-out for electrical generators, the combination of an operating shaft, a weight supporting member fastened to said shaft, weights having lugs for pivotally mounting the same to said supporting member, fingers projecting from. said lugs, a flat spring resting on said lugs and having notches to receive said fingers, said spring having a normal tension such as to hold said weights against the support mem her so as to leave a gap gn theouter edge thereof, a contact carried by'the spring and a cc-operating cont-act adapted to be engaged by the first contact on movement of said weights to close said gaps.

4. In an automatic cutout for electrical i the combination of an. operating shaft, a weight supporting member fastened to said shaft, weights having lugs for pivotally mounting the same to said supporting member, said weights having their surfaces adjacent said lugs so formed to act as stops against said supporting member, fingers projecting from said lugs, a flat spring restmg on said lugs and having notches to receive said fingers, said spring having a normal tension such as to hold one set of said stop surfaces of said weights against said support member, a, contact operated by said spring through the movement of said weights responding to centrifugal force and a stationary contact to co-operate with the first contact.

.5. In an automatic cut-out for electrical generators, the combination of an operating shaft, a weight supporting member fastened to, said shaft, weights having lugs for pivotally mounting the same to said supporting member, said weights having their surfaces adjacent said lugs formed to act as stops against said supporting member, fingers projecting form sald lugs, a'fla't spring resting I on said lugs. and having notches to receive tially uniform and regulated by said weights having their other set of stop surfaces -in contact with'the support member.

6. In an automatic cut-out for electrical generators, a stationary contact and a movable contact actuated through the rotation of said generator shaft, said shaft carrying a member at right angles thereto, said member carrying weights responsive to centrifugal force and a flexible member supported on said weights whereby the movement of the weights causes said flexible member to move the movable contact into and out of engagement with the stationary contact.

7. In an automatic cut-out for electrical generators, a stationary contact and a movable contact actuated through the rotation. of said generator shaft, said shaft carrying a member at right angles thereto, said member carrying weights responsive to centrifugal force and a flexible member supported on said weights whereby the movement of the weights causes said flexible member to move the movable contact into and out of engagement with the stationary contact, said weights being formed, with stop surfaces whereby said flexible member moved definite distance in two directions.

8. In an automatic cut-out for electrical generators, a stationary contact and mov- 130 i I force and a flexible member actuated by the movement of said weights to open and close said contacts, said Weights being so formed and mounted on said member carried by the shaft that when they start to move under the effect of centrifugal force they at once to their extreme position the purpose described.

In testimony whereof, I afliX my EDWARD J. TOML signature. INSON.

will move 10 as and for 

